Preview: London Irish v Gloucester

Centre Mike Tindall will start at number ten for Gloucester in their LV= Cup trip to face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Mike Tindall will start at fly-half for Gloucester in their LV= Cup trip to face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Deprived of the services of a dozen players this week due to international call-ups, it's a reshuffled Gloucester side who take to the field this week.

The absence of players with England, England Saxons, England U20s and Scotland, in addition to a number of injuries, mean that Bryan Redpath has had a tough job naming a side this week.

Tindall gets a rare run out at fly-half and there is a full debut for Academy winger Ian Clark.

The pack is the one that started against the Cardiff Blues with the exception of Matt Cox coming in for the injured Brett Deacon at eight.

The replacements include a welcome return for second row Tom Savage for the first time since mid November and a call up for Billy Burns, younger brother of Freddie, another member of the Academy.

Looking ahead to the game when he addressed the media this week, Redpath admitted that this week presents an unusual challenge.

"It's going to be pretty tricky at the weekend but it's just something that we've got to get on with," he said.

"With the U20s, Saxons, England and Scotland, it's just a tough time. And we've picked up a few injuries along the way as well.

"You know it's going to happen so we'll go into the game and do our best with what we've got and not look for any excuses."

Gloucester are still in the hunt for an LV= Cup semi final place but need the Scarlets to slip up at Sale to have a chance of progressing.

Meanwhile, London Irish have made five changes to their side for the round four clash.

Adam Thompstone and Sailosi Tagicakibau come onto the wings with Shontayne Hape and Jonathan Spratt forming the centre partnership. Matt Garvey will start at blindside flanker after returning to the club from England Saxons duty.

"This time of year is always difficult with players away on international duty. That has been exacerbated by the injury list we currently have. However, last weekend we showed a lot of attacking intent which we aim to replicate tomorrow whilst being more clinical in the final third," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth.